Work Commences on Second Phase of Derby Market Hall

Work has started on the second phase of a multi-million-pound project to breathe new life into Derby’s historic Market Hall, and will continue until the end of next year.

Having restored the Grade II-listed building’s roof, Wates Group is now turning its attention to making internal and external improvements.

Once completed, the revamped Market Hall aims to become a vibrant retail and leisure destination, providing a link between the Derbion shopping centre and the St Peter’s Quarter and Cathedral Quarter areas, as well as the Becketwell regeneration scheme.

Wates is working in collaboration with Derby City Council on the project, supported by specialists, including Lathams Architects and structural engineers Rodgers Leask.

An important part of the next phase of work is to develop the public space at Osnabruck Square, a key entrance to the Victorian building, as well as reinstating the north entrance.

According to Wates, the Guildhall Yard will also be enhanced, with the entire courtyard re-paved following the demolition of an existing 1980s stair and lift tower.

Internally, works will focus on a new flexible market hall space, featuring free-standing mobile stalls to create an accessible space for events and activities such as food and music festivals.

To accommodate the food and drink offer, the balcony will have a bottle bar and an emphasis will be placed on street food but with the flexibility to adapt to future trends.

Further work in this phase includes refurbishments made to the first-floor shops, new durable flooring, improved back-of-house storage, improvements to fire safety, and new toilet facilities.

A key feature will be a new grand central staircase to the north of the Market Hall, replacing an existing stairwell.

The designs also include sustainable focused upgrades such as on-site energy generation through solar thermal and PV panels, battery storage, combined heat and power, and disposal of food waste through anaerobic digestion.